Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Glin Dibley

Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Glin Dibley, is a wonderful book about empowering girls to think outside the normal roles of princess and dancer. Joy is a pitcher for the local baseball team, but she’s an untried rookie. What happens when the team needs her will surprise young and old readers, as well as the team’s fans.

Joy shows the fans and the team that she’s not only good at baseball, but also other sports. Jump shots, pump fakes, and more, as she takes the mound by storm. She has the other team scratching their heads, but none of her moves are considered illegal. The illustrations are wonderful, and she gets her own baseball card just like the team’s slugger Mighty Casey.

Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Glin Dibley, is wonderfully illustrated and tells a great story of courage and originality. Young girls will be inspired by Joy’s bravery and her ability as an athlete.

Rating: Cinquain

About the Author:

Bob Raczka loved to draw, especially dinosaurs, cars and airplanes, as a boy. He spent a lot of time making paper airplanes and model rockets. He studied art in college, which came in quite handy while writing a series of art appreciation books, Bob Raczka’s Art Adventures. He also studied advertising, a creative field in which he worked in for more than 25 years. Bob also discovered how much he loved poetry and began writing his own. His message for today’s kids is to make stuff!”

You might also like Catching the Moon by Crystal Hubbard – picture book for kids about Marconi Lyle – who actually took Hank Aaron’s place on a Negro League theam when Aaron moved to the Major Leagues! Great empowering story and true!